Hello - I can usually rely on someone from THR to solve my gun problems, so here goes: I have a second series DS that I bought several months ago in very nice shape, cleaned it up but never fired it, and put it away in a plastic gun case. Today I brought it out to show a friend and the cylinder was frozen - would not turn at all, couldn't even dryfire it. I was able to open the crane, and the hammer and trigger were operating fine, but the cylinder would not rotate. Finally I got it free by wrapping one of those plastic can opener thingies around it and turning it. I've lubed the ejector rod. But it still feels somewhat tight when it turns -- not the freewheeling cylinder you see in the movies when they spin it. The ejector rod pushes out freely, and the cylinder has the usually tiny bit of lateral play. I am able to dryfire it DA and SA fine, and it really doesn't feel like it's binding, but I am wondering what's going on. I've shot lubricant into it, etc. Doesn't seem to help. Anyone have any ideas? What could be binding to prevent the cylinder from freewheeling? Also -- the ejector rod is not loose, but I am curious which direction to turn it to keep it tight (clockwise or counterclockwise). Thanks.
Frozen cylinder on my Colt Detective Special
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SharpsDressedMan
member
I seem to recall a situation with an older 1917 Colt .45 locking up like this, and it was a broken spring inside the ejector assembly binding. Do NOT force it; you will cause it to scar and tear it up inside if you do. Find a competent revolver smith that knows and works on Colts, or pay the shiiping charges and send ot back to Colt. They can fix it.
hoghunting
Member
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Are you using WD-40 on your pistol? WD will gum up and prevent parts from moving.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
I would have to guess it is old dried oil.
Just keep working light oil (Rem-Oil) into it and see if you can get it loosened up.
The broken ejector rod spring SharpsDressedMan mentioned is also a remote possibility, but you should feel & hear all kinds of grinding noises when you turn it if it was that.
BTW: I don't intend to start another WD-40 argument, but I have been using it for nearly 50 years in gun repair and fishing reel cleaning.
I even use WD-40 to clean grandfather clock movements.
It is the cheapest, non-offensive & safe solvent there is for cutting old dried grease & dirt out of actions & tiny parts.
When I use it, I blow it out with an air compressor and re-lube with gun oil or grease.
Or in the case of clock movements, clock oil.
rc
Just keep working light oil (Rem-Oil) into it and see if you can get it loosened up.
The broken ejector rod spring SharpsDressedMan mentioned is also a remote possibility, but you should feel & hear all kinds of grinding noises when you turn it if it was that.
BTW: I don't intend to start another WD-40 argument, but I have been using it for nearly 50 years in gun repair and fishing reel cleaning.
I even use WD-40 to clean grandfather clock movements.
It is the cheapest, non-offensive & safe solvent there is for cutting old dried grease & dirt out of actions & tiny parts.
When I use it, I blow it out with an air compressor and re-lube with gun oil or grease.
Or in the case of clock movements, clock oil.
rc
SharpsDressedMan
member
How is he going to hear noises when it won't turn?
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
Well, he said in the OP he already turned it with a jar lid strap-wrench or something and got it loose.
That's all I know.
rc
That's all I know.
rc
SharpsDressedMan
member
My error. Sorry, I read it wrong. 
Creature
Member
Moral of the story: when a gun "freezes" up, never force it. Take it to a qualified gunsmith.
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